Printing machine



July 2, 1935.

W. T. GOLLWITZER PRINTI'N'G MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 19:51

5 Sheets-Shget 1 5 Sheds-Sheet 2 PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1931 W. T. GOLLWITZER July 2, 1935.

July 2,1935. w. T. GOLLWlTZ ER I 2,006,991

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 2, 1935. w. GOLLWITZER PRINTING MAUI-ENE Filed Jan. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 m w w 0 a\\\\\\ 7 Q 3% 7 w. w 6 a 0 2 Z, 6 :J I z I 2 Z ,3 6 M a T55 7 I F a 6 4 WC! 0 L 2. M MN m E w m J H m7 10m 5 6 Q 7 J 257 ,103 7&5

July 2, 1935. w. TSGIOLLWITZER FRINTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1931 SSheetS-Sheet 5 Patented July 2, 1935 y 2,006,991

UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE 2,006,991 PRINTING MACHINE Walter T. Gollwitzer, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Addressograph Company, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application .lanuary 28, 1931, Serial No. 511,670 32 Claims. (01. 101-47) This invention relates to printing machines in is moved into detecting positio n positive y which printing impressions are made from printchronism with the printin vice f in v ing devices sequentially passed therethrough. ment; wherein a signal device may be provided Printing devices of the kind employed in my which will be rendered operative under certain machine are usually filed in the drawers of suitconditions of Op r fln; and w rein mem- 5 able cabinets in a determined sequence and when ber controlling the operation will be held in a impressions are to be made therefrom these printnormal position until actuated by the selecting ing devices are introduced into a magazine in mechanism. the machine and from which they are withdrawn In the selected embodiment of the invention and sequentially passed through the machine. illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, 10 Frequently it is desirable not to make impressions Fig. 1 is a fragmentary tranverse sectional from all of the printing devices passed through view of a typical printing machine with which the machine and it is therefore the salient obmy invention may be associated; ject of my invention to provide a novel print- Fig. 2 is another transverse sectional view ing machine wherein only determined or selected across the machine taken at a point forwardly 5 of the printing devices will be used in a printing of the section of Fig. 1; i operation. Fig. 3 is a tranverse view of the machine illus- In order to classify the printing devices to trating portions of my improved selecting mechaaiford selection lacuna or other identifying nism;

means are provided thereon and another object Fig. 3a is an elevational View of the removable 20 is to provide a machine wherein a novel detector part of the selecting mechanism;

is provided, engageable with the lacuna or iden- Figs. 3b and 3c are sectional views of the part tifying means to determine the operation of the illustrated in Fig. 3a showing modifications of machine. the arrangement thereof;

The devices performing the selection, or as they Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken transversely 25 are known selecting devices, usually function to of the printing device guideway in the'machine control operation of the printing member or just forwardly of the detecting portions of the platen but another object herein is to provide selecting mechanism;

a selecting novel device which may be used to Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially control other mechanisms in the machine. on the line 55 on Fig. 4; 30

It is especially desirable that the set-up of the Fig. 5a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the detecting portions be accurately determined in different positions into which the member posiorder that impressions will be made only from tioned by the selector may move under different the printing devices from which such impressions conditions of operation;

are desired, and it is therefore a further object Figs. 6, '7, 8 and!) are sectional views substan- 35 to provide a novel selecting device which may be tially similar to Fig. 5, illustrating diiierent operaccurately set up to select only determined printative positions of the detecting portions of my ing devices and to provide a removable member improved selecting mechanism;

matrix w e y he s -up of the machine Fig. 10 .is alongitudinal'sectional view through 40 may be varied. the printing device guideway; v 40 Further obj ts ar to p v d a p i m Fig. 11 is a View of a cam mounted on one of the Chine wherein the Selefltion D y be driving shafts of the machine and, operating a peditiously brought about; wherein the selecpart of the device shown in Fig. 10; and tiOh p y be easily reversed, that is, W Fig. 12 is a sectional detail View illustrating op printing d s 7 are Once passed through the erating means for other of the devices shown in 45 machine certain of the printing devices will be Fig. 10. t I printed or will be, as it is termed, skipped and In the accompanying drawings illustrating a, in y improved device this may be v sed selected embodiment of my invention, I have that if t printing devices are a a n pas ed shown, for the purpose of illustration, a portion through the machine the devices which were of a printing machine of the kind disclosed in the 50 skipped on the first sequential passage will-be used application of Edwin C. Colye r, Serial No. 506,553, in a printing operation in the second passage filed Janua ry 5, 1931, and this machine includes whereas those printed on the first passage a table top I03 on which the printing impressions through the machine will be skipped on the next are performed. The machine also includes castpassage; wherein the detector of the selector ings extending transversely of the machine and 55 one of these castings, indicated by 23 (Fig. 1), is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and. these castings provide bearings in which the main drive shaft 31 is journaled. Fast on this main drive shaft 3'! is a track cam 83. Journaled in the casting 23 and in a similar casting juxtaposed thereto is a shaft I1 and fixed thereon is the bearing portion I8 of the platen arm I9. Freely mounted on the shaft IT is a rocker 80 includin an arm carrying a roller 82 disposed in the track of the cam 83. Provided on the rocker 80 is a ledge 8| and cooperating therewith is a ledge 84 unitary with a member fast on the shaft 11. Thus, when the parts are disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the ledge 8I engages the ledge 84 and acts through the shaft 11 to hold the arm I9 in the upper position illustrated. The platen arm supports an arm 81 carrying platen head embodying tracks 98 on which rollers in the bracket 91 travel, this bracket carrying the platen P which makes impressions from printing devices, positioned therebelow, through a suitable ink ribbon. The arm 99 of the bracket 91 is pivotally connected to an arm I mounted on a shaft I04. A spring IOI extends between the presser foot I92, carried on the arm I], and the arm I00 and serves to hold the platen P in a forward position. The platen P is moved rearwardly to make a printing impression by movement imparted to the arm I05 fast on the shaft I04 in a manner described in the previously referred to application. When the track cam 83 moves the roller 82 from the position shown the ledge BI is moved from engagment with the ledge 84 and therefore the platen I9 may Divot in a counter-clockwise direction to thereby move the platen P toward the table top I03 whereby an impression may be made thereby from a printing device moved into position therebelow. When the platen arm I9 moves in the counter-clockwise direction the hook DQItiDn 89 on the bell crank 88 pivotally mounted on an arm fixed to the rock shaft 11 disenga es the stop 90, and the shoulder 92 on the bell crank is urged into position to be engaged by the abutment 95 on the rocker 80 by the spring BI, and when the shoulder 92 is engaged by the abutment 95 printing impetus is imparted to the platen. Simultaneously with this imparting of printing impetus to the platen the arm I05 is motivated to move the platen P against the action of the spring I00 toperform a printing operation from the printing device positioned the 'ebelow.

' Printing devices are moved into printing position along printing device guidBWays provided in the castings I3 I and I32 (Fig, 4) disposed substantially medially of the machine and extended parallel to the castings similar to the casting 23. The means for moving the printing devices, which are indicated by D, into position below the platen nclude car n bars I35 wh h are a le in substantially rectangular orbits. In order to hold the printing devices in position during certain portions .of the movement of the carrying bars, locking bars I31 are provided which are movable vertically. The manner in'which the ca r in and kine bars are suppo te in p tion and the manner in which movement is imparted thereto is clearly described in the referred to application. At spaced intervals in the upper edges .of the carrying bars I36 are recesses I44 (Fig. 5) and similar recesses I45 are provided in the upper edg of the locking bars I31 and the print ng d vice D a e embrac n t ese re- 1 8 5.- b a ry ng bars impart a step by step movement to the printing devices and printing impressions are taken therefrom during at rest periods in this step by step movement and the operation of the selecting mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention occurs during a similar period.

The manner in which the carrying bars and look ing bars are operated is illustrated in Figs. to 12, inclusive. Assuming the carrying bars to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 10, movement is imparted thereto as follows: The carrying bars will first move forwardly in a horizontal plane, then downwardly, rearwardly and then upwardly back into the position illustrated in Fig. 10, and it is this rectangular movement of the carrying bars that imparts the step by step movement to the printing devices. The locking bars merely move vertically to engage and disengage the printing devices during certain phases of the rectilinear movement of the carrying bars. part up and down movement to the locking bars and rectangular movement to the carrying bars I provide cam bars below the locking bars and carrying bars respectively. Cam bars, such as I38, are positioned below the locking bars I3'I and mounted on the ends thereof on the sides disposed toward the carrying bars are blocks and arranged between these blocks and below ledges on the castings, such as ISI, are cam bars M2 and the manner in which these cam bars 242 are mounted is such that these bars are movable horizontally with the cam bars I30. Rollers Hill are mounted on the castings, such as ISI, and in the cam bars I38 are cam grooves I39 and in the cam bars are cam grooves I43. The cam grooves in these cam bars are adapted for cooperation with the rollers I40.

At the beginning of an operation as shown in Fig. 10, the cam bars are so disposed that the rollers engage dwells in the cam grooves 539 and these rollers also engage the lower edges of the cam bars I42 adjacent the cam grooves I43. Therefore, the locking bars I3? are disposed in a lower position and the carrying bars I 36 are held in an upper position. The recesses M in the locking bars are arranged at the dwell positions of the printing devices in their step by step movement along the printing device guideway. When the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 10,

the most rearward of the notches I44 in the carrying bars are disposed below the lower end of the magazine M and when the carrying bars are moved forwardly the upper surfaces of the rear ends of said carrying bars move into position below the magazine to prevent the printing devices therein from moving therefrom. The lowermost of the printing devices in the magazine M move into the rearwardmost of the recesses MG when these recesses are disposed below the magazine and when the carrying bars move forwardly the printing device in this recess is moved forwardly into the dwell position first removed from the magazine M. Movement is imparted to the carrying bars in the following manner:

A gear I I1 is fast on the shaft 62 and this gear is of the intermittent type, that is to say, it is provided with sets of meth 58 and H9 intermediate of which there are pitch line dwells i and I2I. A stub shaft I 22 is mounted in the frame of the machine and fast thereon is an intermittent gear I23 having sets of teeth I24 and I intermediate of which there are pitch line dwells I26 and I21. When the shaft 62 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, the teeth I I8 engage the teeth I25 and rotate the gear In order to im the shaft I22 rotates but this shaft remains stationary when the pitch line dwells are in engagement. A crank I21 is fast on the shaft i222 and a link I28 is pivotally connected to this crank and also to a rocker l3ll fast on a shaft W3 carried by the frame. Also fast on the shaft I33 are rockers I34 and links I35 interconnect the rockers I34 and the rear ends of the carrying bars ltd.

When the shaft E22 is operated the crank iZ'i transmits movement through the link 5228 to the rocker I38 and this movement is transmitted through the shaft I33, rockers I34 and links I35 to the carrying bars I36 and at the initiation of the operation the carrying bars 536 are moved sufiiciently to position the rearwardmost recess I44 above the rearwardmost recess .145 and when the carrying bars have attained this position the locking bars areoperated. This is brought about by the track cam i'dfi fast on the shaft 62. A roller I49 carried by an arm I48 fast on the shaft I47 journaled in castings, like the casting IBI, is positioned in the track of the cam 550. Rockers I48 having bifurcations II in the upper ends thereof are fast on the shaft I41. Rollers I52 mounted on the cam bars 138 are disposed in the bifurcations I5I and when the shaft I4! is actuated by the cam Hill, the rockers I46 move forwardly whereupon the tapered portions of the cam grooves I39 engage the rollers I40 and cause the cam bars I38 and the locking bars I37 that rest thereon to move upwardly and when this occurs the printing device which has been picked up by the rearwardmost recess I 44 is engaged in the rearwardmost recess M5.

The tapered portions of the cam grooves I43 are so disposed that as soon as the cam bars I38 have moved upwardly to correspondingly move the locking bars I3? the tapered surfaces thereof will move into alignment with the rollers I40 and continued forward movement of the cam bars as caused by the rockers I46 will cause the rollers I40 to enter the cam grooves I43 whereupon the cam bars I42 are lowered which causes a corresponding lowering of the carrying bars I36. Immediately after this lowering of the carrying bars I36 the shaft E22 will again be actuated for during the lowering movement the dwells on the gear Ill and the pinion I23 have been in engagement and the shaft I22 will not have been turning. But now the shaft I 33 will be motivated to move the rockers I34 rearwardly and after the rockers have moved back into the position shown in Fig. the cam 45E! will again actuate the shaft I 4? to move the rockers I46 rearwardly. Now the above described movements will be reversed, that is, first the carrying bars i 36 will be moved upwardly and after the carrying bars have moved upwardly so that the printing devices are again engaged in the recesses I 44 the locking bars i3! will move downwardly to disengage the recesses M5 from the printing devices.

The printing device which was moved forwardly on the previous operation of the carrying bars will be engaged in the penultimate of the recesses M4 while the lowermost of the printing devices in the magazine will be in the rearwardmost of the recesses. Thus when the above described operations are repeated the first released printing device will be moved into alignment with the penultimate recess I45 and the above described operation will be repeated and in this instance the locking bars I3! engage and retain two printing devices. When the above described operations are again repeated the locking bars engage three printing devices and the forwardmost of these printing devices will be disposed in selecting position for cooperation with the selector mechanism forming the subject matter of this invention.

This selector mechanism in one of the forms described herein cooperates with the printing device in selecting position and determines how the platen P will operate on the next operation of the machine, that is to say, whether or not an impression will be made from this printing device now in selecting position for this printing device will be moved into printing position below the platen P and onto the anvil A in the next operation ofv the carrying bars I36.

As stated, the selecting mechanism is positioned to act on the printing device immediately behind the printing device disposed at printing position in the machine and from which the platen P may make an impression and the selecting mechanism acts to determine the operation of the printing mechanisms when this printing device moves into printing position. The lacuna or identifying means provided on the printing devices in the present instance may be in the form of removable tabs of the character disclosed in the Duncan Patent No. 1,682,505, patented December 13, 1913. As shown in that patent the printing devices are arranged to retain twelve tabs thereon and each of these tabs may have sections thereof cut away and by so doing the number of lacuna or identifying means may be doubled and thus I am able to provide twentyfour lacuna or identifying means or, as it is known, selecting positions. Each of the twentyfour positions provide What is known as a primary selection and by arranging the detecting means for group operation so that two or more of these primary selections will need cooperate to bring about a desired result I may accomplish what are known as secondary selections. Since I have provided twenty-four selecting positions, I have also provided twenty-four detecting members and while I have shown such an arrangement it is to be understood that a greater or less number of. these positions and detectors might be provided without departing from the purview of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention I provide a block I El supported by a bracket I I including pads l2 secured to the locking bars I3! by screws l3 or the like. The detecting members or feeling fingers I4 are mounted in slots in this block, these fingers including detecting portions I5 adjacent which there are slots It and in the forwardly disposed portion of the fingers are slots I'l. Pins i8 and I3 ext-end across the block ii) through the slots therein and the fingers are so arranged in the slots in the block that the slots I J therein embrace the pin I9 while the slots I6 embrace the pin I8. Leaf springs 2i! are arranged in a recess in the block iii and act on the under side of the fingers E4 to urge the same upwardly, said fingers pivoting about the pin I9 and upward movement thereof being limited by the pin I8. The fingers I4 include tail portions 2| which extend rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the block Ill. The detecting portions I5 of the fingers I4 are vertically aligned with the lacuna L on the printing device in selecting position, illustrated in Fig. 5.

It has been pointed out that the locking bars I31 are movable vertically and when a printing device moves into selecting position these locking bars are in lower position. However, as soon as the printing device is disposed in selecting position, the locking bars move upwardly and since the block H] is can'ied by the bracket II that is secured to these locking bars, this block consequently moves upwardly and the detecting portions on the fingers cooperate with the lacuna on the printing devices. It has been pointed out that the lacuna in the present instance are in the form of tabs which may have sections thereof cut away. Thus, when the feeler fingers move upwardly the portions thereof engaging the tabs will be held against further movement and these fingers will be pivoted about the pin 49 to assume positions substantially like that shown in broken lines in Fig. 5. The detecting portions of the fingers not engaging tabs due to the absence of a tab or a cut away portion thereof will not be pivoted and should no tabs be provided on the printing device, or if the aligned portion of the tab is cutaway, the detecting fingers will move past the printing device without being pivoted about the pin l 9 and will be disposed in positions substantially like that shown in full lines in 5. To prevent upward movement of the lacuna and the printing devices when en aged by the fingers a strip 22 is secured to and extends between the upper edges of the castings l3! and lBE above the position of the fingers M. This strip includes a depending portion in the lower surface of which a plurality of slots are provided, which slots are aligned with the fingers M, and the fingers M move into these slots when there are no tabs on the printing device in selecting position or when portions of the tabs are cut away.

It has been pointed out that the fingers 54 may be pivoted about the pin l 9 and that under certain conditions of operation certain of the fingers will be pivoted While others will not be pivoted and therefore the tail portions ill of the fingers may be disposed in different horizontal planes depending upon this pivoting or the lack of it. The positioning of these tail portions is utilized to determine the selection, and this is brought about in the following manner: The bracket I l includes arms 25 in which a shaft 26 is journaled. On this shaft 26 an arm 21 is pivotally mounted and which includes a head 28. In the forwardly disposed face of this head are two transversely extending grooves 29 and 38 and at the side edges of the head vertically extending grooves are provided, and the face of the head is recessed in alignment with these grooves. Therefore, a removable member 3! may be extended into these grooves to be disposed on the forward face of the head 28. This removable member 3!, known as a matrix is illustrated in Fig. 3a and includes a grip portion 32. Adjacent the upper portion of the matrix 34 provision is made for two transverse rows of openings, the openings in the respective rows being aligned with each other. When the matrix is arranged on the head 28 these rows of openings are respectively aligned with the grooves 29 and 3B. The openings in the rows or the lack of them determines the selecticn. The number of openings in each row corresponds with the number of fingers l4 and the openings are positioned to be respectively aligned with the fingers when the matrix is mounted on the head 28. The openings in the upper row are intended to cooperate with the groove 29 and the tail portions 2! of fingers which are not pivoted about the pin I9 while the openings in the lower row are intended to cooperate with the groove 30 and. the tail portion of the fingers pivoted about the pin. At opposite ends of the head 28 lugs 33 are provided in which a pin 34 is supported which therefore extends across the front of the head 28 forwardly of the matrix 3i. This pin is so disposed that it extends between the openings 35 of the upper most row of openings in the matrix and the openings 33 in the lowermost row of openings therein, and. the purpose of this pin is to insure the proper disposition and guiding of the tail portions 2!. The head 28 is urged toward the fingers- M by spring 31 and is movable against the action of this spring in a manner to be described.

The arm 38 is provided which may either be pivoted on the shaft 26 or at a point on either side thereof and in this manner the selecting mechanism may be arranged to operate on printing devices of different Widths. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the arm 38 is pivoted on a shaft 3?: disposed forwardly of the shaft 26 and this illustrated embodiment is that which operates on printing devices of an intermediate width. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 26 is a casting 38' which. has a portion thereon that s interfltted with a bifurcated portion on the arm 38 to thereby interconnect the arm 38 and the casting 38, this interconnection being indicated 38' (Fig. 6). A depending lobe 40 on the casting 38 has an adjusting screw ll mounted therein against which pin 42 connected to the arm 33 bears and this pin is held in this position by the spring 13' extended between the arm 38 and the casting 38'. Therefore this arm and this casting are connected to act as a unit. Carried by the casting 38 is a set screw 4! including a tip 42 extendable into an opening such as G3 (Fig. 3a) in the matrix. Provision is made whereby the opening 13 may be located in either of two locations respectively illustrated by full and dotted lines in Fig. 3a and the purpose of this Will be described. A spring 4!) acts on the arm 38 and therefore the casting 38 and iu'ges the set screw 4| toward the matrix to maintain the tip 42 in the opening 43. The casting 38 includes a handle 44 and a handle 45 is provided on the head 28. By grippring these handles the head 28 may be pivoted to disengage the tip 42 from the opening 43 and therefore the matrix may be slid from the head 28 and when these handles are released, the springs acting on the members reposition them in the illustrated position and the tip 42 again enters the opening 43 in the newly inserted matrix to thereby prevent displacement thereof.

Both the block If! and the head 23 move upwardly when the locking bars 13'! move upwardly and the spring 3? normally urges the head 28 toward the tail portions 2!. Therefore in order to permit positioning of the tail portions in accordance with the lacuna it is necessary that the head 28 be moved against the action of the spring 31 to disengage it from the tail portions and this is brought about by the rod 46, one end of which is engageable with the depending portion ll of the arm 27. The rod .6 has an adjustable portion 18 and extends along the casting Iii and includes an end portion engageable with one end of a rocker 49 pivotally mounted at 50 on the casting 53 i. In the manner described the shaft 62 operates the printing device feeding assent mechanism and the locking bars I31. Thus, by providing a cam on the shaft 82 engageable by aroller 52 on the arm 49 the rocker may be actuated in timed relation with the operation of the locking bars. Fast onthe shaft 62 is a pinion 62 meshed with a gear 31 mounted on the drive shaft 31 and rotated thereby, and these gears are of a predetermined ratio whereby the shaft 62 operates in timed relation with the drive shaft 31 when said drive shaft is set in operation. Thus, each time the locking bars are moved upwardly the rod 45 will be movedand themovement of this rod causes the head 28 to move away from-the tail portions 2|, to be disposed in the position illustrated in Fig. 6, and therefore when the fingers 4 are first engaged with the lacuna, to be positioned in accordance therewith and be disposed above and below the pin 34, said pin and the head 28 will be retracted awayfrom said tail portions. After the tail portions are positioned by cooperation with the lacuna or other identifying means the roller 52 moves onto a drop in the cam 5| and the rod 4'6 will therefore be moved rearwardly due to the action of the spring 31' and the head 28 will again move toward the tail portions 2| whereupon the pin 34 ,movesinto cooperation with the tail portions 2| and thereafter the pin 34 holds the tail portions 2| above or below the pin depending upon the position in which they have been disposed by the cooperation of the fingers M with the lacuna L or other identifying means and the head 28 will be positioned in accordance with the cooperation of the tail portions 2| with the openings or the lack of openings 35 and 36 in the matrix 3|.

When the selecting mechanism is set, for example, to print from printing devices not. having lacuna thereon in a definite position, it may be accomplished by utilizing a cut away portion of a tab. Thus, the detecting portion of the finger cooperating therewith will not be pivoted when the fingers are moved upwardly and this tail por-' tion will be disposed above the pin 34. Under this condition all of the openings 35 would be formed save the one aligned with this finger. There fore when the head 28 is moved by the spring 31' toward the tail portions 2! after the tail portions have been set and if the lacunais in accordance with the determined and desired selection this tail portion is above the pin 34 and therefore engages the face of the matrix since there is no opening at this point. All of the openings 36 would be formed. Thus, if the lacuna were not of the determined character the particular finger l4 would be pivoted to position the tail portion 2| below the pin 34 and therefore when the head 28 moved forwardly this tail portion would pass through the opening 36 in alignmentwith the closed opening 35, and this tail portion would therefore be extended into the groove 38. ,Manifestly, under this condition the head 28 would move forwardly in a greater amount than when.

the tail portion rested on the face of the matrix. It is therefore apparent that any desired selection may be brought about merely by determining which of the openings in the matrix are to be opened and which are to be closed and thus when the determined lacuna are on a printing device in selecting position the head 28 will be positioned in a certain position butwhen the determined lacuna are not on the printing device in selecting position the head 28 will be located in a different position. This different positioning of the head 28 is utilized to control the machine.

It has been pointed out that the arm 38 and the casting'38' act as a unit'and that the screw 4| bears against the head 28. Therefore when the head 28 is located in different positions the arm 38 is located in different positions. At thelower en'd'of the arm 38 there is a plate 53 and the positioning of this plate serves to control the machine.

It has been previously described that the cam 83 acts to withdraw the ledge 8| from the ledge 84 to thereby permit the arm 19 to pivot and this ledge 8| is withdrawn on every operation of the cam 83 which is in every cycle of operation of the machine since the cam is fast on the drive shaft 31 which makes one revolution for each operation of the machine. Thus to prevent the platenarm from moving downwardly and making an impression from a printing device, which the selector has determined should be skipped, there is formed in the bearing portion 18 a notch 245 (Fig. 1) engageable by a hook 246 on the bell crank 241 fast on the shaft 248.

Fast on the shaft 248' (Fig. 2) is an arm 54 acted on by a spring 55 to be held in an upper position. On this arm 54 are plates 58, 51 and 58, the plates 58 and 58 being provided on one side of the arm while the plate 51 is on the other sideyand the purpose of this arrangement will be set forth presently. These plates are notched in their upper edge for cooperation with the pointed end on the plate 53. 7 On the shaft 248 is a rocker 226 carrying a spring-urged plunger 225 engageable with the arm 224 of the bell crank 2|8 fast on the shaft 248. When the arm 54 is, moved against the action of spring 55 the plunger 225 moves arm 224 and shaft 248 to engage hook 246 with the notch 245, said hook normally being disengaged from said notch, as shown in Fig. 1:

In the arrangement of the invention shown in Fig. 7, the matrix is one wherein a printing operation is to be performed when the tail portions 2! move through openings therein into the grooves 29 and 38, and when a printing device having other than the determined lacuna thereon,

moves into; printing position the head 28 and plate 53 are positioned as shown in full lines in Figh'l. It will be noted that in the arrangement'shown in Fig. 7 the locking bars I31. and consequently the fingers are in'an upper position. However, when the locking bars move downwardly to permit the printing device in selecting position to be moved into printing position the fingers and associate-d parts are moved downwardly but when they are set in the positionshown in full lines in Fig. 7 the plate 53 moves in such a manner that it does not engage any of the plates on the arm 54 and consequently this arm is not moved. Therefore, when the ledge 8| is moved away from the ledge 84 the arm 19 pivots anda printing operation is performed since the hook 248does not engage the notch 245.

However, should a' printing device move into position such that a tail portion 2| is prevented from moving through the matrix and merely engages the face of the matrix, as shown in Fig. 8, the plate 53 is positioned in alignment with the plate 51 and when the parts move downwardly the pointed end of the plate53 seats on the notched upper end'of the plate 51 and the arm 54 is pivoted which engages the hook 246 with the notch 245. Therefore, when the ledge 8| is moved away.

from the ledge 84 the arm 19 does not pivot and a printing operation is not performed. The foregoing is but an exemplary operation of my device and it is to be understood thatthe device might be arranged in another manner without departing from the purview of my invention and the foregoing selection is merely one of a very large number which may be performed.

It may be desirable under certain conditions to reverse the foregoing operation, that is, to print from printing devices which were skipped on the previously described sequential passage while those printing devices which were printed in this first passage are skipped. To this end the device is arranged to be reversible. In the operation above. described the plate 53 cooperated with the plate 51 which, as hasv been stated, is positioned on one side of the arm 54. It is therefore. manifest that the arm 38was aligned with the plate 51 and under this condition of operation the tip 42 was. disposed in an opening 43 in the matrix similar to that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3d. When the operation is to be reversed the tip, 42 is disposed in an opening 43 located Similarly to that. shown in full lines in Fig. 3a. When this is done the arms 38 and the plate 53 are aligned with the plates 56 and 58 to cooperate therewith. The plate 58 is so positioned that when the tail portions 2| pass into grooves 29 and 30, the plate 53 seats in the notch at the upper end of the plate 58 and therefore the arm 54 is a son that two matrices of identical structure are moved and when the tail portions do not enter these grooves, but engage the face of the matrix, the plate 53 is so positioned that it does not engage the plate 58. Clearly this is a reversal of the previously described operation and therefore the manner in which the printing operations are performed from the printing devices is reversed. In order to insure that a matrix will only bring about a certain selection it is customary to provide but one of the openings 43 in each matrix. Thus, when it is desired to reverse the operation in the above described manner two matrices are provided and with regard to the openings 35 and 36 these matrices are identical but in one the opening 43 is disposed in the full-line posipositioned the set-up cannot be completed. This,

would not be insured if two. openings 43 were provided in each matrix. And it is for this reaprovided with openings 43 located in different positions.

Sometimes it is desirable that a. special selection be made or that a certain condition be indicated such as the end of one series of printing devices.

and the beginning of another. Further, under certain conditions selections may be made but it is desirable that the operator be informed of certain conditions or operations. An example of this would be in the use of addressing periodical publications for which purpose the addressplates have lacuna thereon indicating theend of the period of the subscription and when one of thesev printing devices moves into printing position it is desirable that the operator of the machine be advised of the fact in order that the printing device may be removed from the series. To this end I provide a signal device which inthe present instance is a bell, and this bell is rendered operative by providing on the matrix what are known as bell plugs. It may, for example, be desirable to ring the bell when an impression is made from the selected printing device and under other conditions it may be desirable to. ring the bellwhen the impression is not made from the selected printing device.

To obtain this special selection I provide plugs of different heights and such plugs are illustrated in Figs. 3b, 3c and 9. Such a plug is inserted into either an opening 35 or an opening 36 depending upon the selection desired. In Fig. 30 what I call a short bell plug, indicated by 59, is provided, the extent of which above the face of the matrix is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9. .In Fig. 3b. a long bell plug is illustrated which is shown in Fig. 9 in full. lines.

When the tip 4.2 is disposed in an opening 43 located at the full-line position of Fig. 3a, a short bell plug brings about a skipping operation while a long bell plug brings. about a printing operation- In Fig. 5a the. .various positions into which theplate. 53 is movable are. diagrammatically illustrated and the. position of .theplate 58 is indicated by M'and, as has been described, when the tail portions 2| pass into the grooves 29 and 30, when the plate 53. is aligned with plates. 56 and 58., the plate 53 engages the plate 58, that is. to say, it is. disposed in the position M of Fig. 5a. But when the tail portions 2| engage the face of the matrix, the plate 53 does not engage the plate 58 but rather is positioned in the. position N of Fig. 5a. When the plate 53 is in the position M, the printing device determining the set-up of the selector is skipped, as has been described, but when the plate 53 is in the position N, an impression is. made from the printing device determining the set-up of the selector. The reason the plate 53. assumes the positions M or N is that the movable parts of the selector pivot in different amounts depending upon the postioning of the tailv portions 2| and when the tail portions2| engage the face of the matrix, the plate 53 is. positioned forwardly of the position in which it is disposed when the tail portions pass through the openings in. the matrix. Thus, if a protuberance is provided, on the face of the matrix in the nature of say a short bell plug, theplate 53 is. positioned forwardly of the position N, for a tail portion 2 engages this raised plug and positions the plate 53 forwardly of the position as indicated by the position R in Fig. 5a, and when in this. position the plate 53. is. aligned with the plate 5.6. and the printingdevice which determined the set-upof the selector is skipped. As shown in Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, 2. member including a foot member 5| is connected to the plate 53 and the foot portion extends parallel to the plate 53. but is spaced from said plate tothe rear thereof. As best shown in Fig. 8, when the plate 53. cooperates. with either the plate 51 or the plate 58, the foot member 6 is spaced from the plate 66, which will be described more fully hereinafter. But when the plate 53 is moved into alignment with the. plate 5.6, then the foot member 6|. is aligned with. the plate 66. Thus, when the plate 53 the. position R, the foot member. 6|. is aligned with the plate 66. and when a printing device is. skipped, the foot member 6| operates. the device to which the plate 66 is connected to operate a signal. Now should a tail portion engage a long bell plug, the plate 53 is disposed forwardly of the position R. and in the positions of Fig. 5a. When the plate 53'is in the positionv Szof Fig. 5a, the foot member 6| is still aligned with the plate 66. Hence, when the looking bars I31 move downwardly, the foot member 6| engages said plate 65 and even though a printing operation isperformed, the signal is. operated. When the tip 43- is disposed: in an opening 43 located in the dotted-line position of Fig. 3a, the plate 53 is aligned with the plate 51. Under these conditions, when the tail portions 2| move through the openings in the matrix, the plate 53 moves into the position T of Fig. 5a and does not strike the plate 51 and consequently the device holding the platen against movement is not rendered operative and hence an impression is made from this printing device. When, how ever, the tail portions 2! engage the face or the matrix, the plate 53 moves into the positionV of Fig. 5a and engages the plate 51 and the printing device determining this set-up of the selector is skipped. Now when a short bell plug is provided and a tail portion 21 engages therewith, the plate 53 moves into the position W of Fig. 5a and as the plate 53 does not motivate the devices which hold the platen against a printing operation, an impression is made from the printing device determining the set-up of the selector. However, the position W is aligned with the position R and the foot member 6| engages the plate 66 and operates the signal. Thus, under these conditions of operation, a short bell plug indicates the printing of a printing device by operating the signal in contra-distinction to the other set-up of the device wherein the operation brought about by a short bell plug causes skipping of the printing device and the operation of the signal. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the machine is arranged so that the audible signal is operated when the plate 53 is in the position W and under these conditions an impression is made from the printing device and the same would occur if a long bell plug was provided, for if a long bell plug is used the plate 53 moves into the position X and as no plate is secured to the arm 54 at this position an impression is made from the printing device and as the position X is aligned with the position S the signal is operated. If it is desired to operate the signal under this condition of operation when a printing device is skipped, a plate 51 is secured to the arm 54 and this plate 57' is spaced from the plate 51 as the plate 56 is spaced from the plate 58 and the plate 51' is located at the position X in Fig. 5a. Thus when a plate 5? is provided, the platen is held against a printing operation and the signal is operated.

The block 66 is fast on an arm 65 fast on the shaft 64 journaled in the frame adjacent the shaft 31 and each time the block 66 is engaged by the foot member 6|, the shaft 64 is turned. Fast on the shaft 64 is an arm 61 having a notch 88 therein normally engaging .the ledge 69 on the bell crank 70, said notch and ledge being held in engagement by the spring ll. When, however, the shaft 63 is pivoted, the notch 68 is disengaged from the ledge 63 and the spring 12 pivots the bell crank HI about the pivotal mounting l3 thereof on the casting l3! to rapidly move the knocker 74, carried by the bell crank, into engagement with the bell '55 mounted on the casting 3! to thereby produce an audible signal. In order to reposition the parts after such operation and when the foot portion 6| has moved upwardly on the next operation of the machine and disengaged the block 66, a collar 78 is fast on the shaft 31 and carries a pin ll engageable with the end of the arm 18 of the bell crank 15 and when this pin engages the end of this arm the parts are moved into the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the ledge 69 engaging the upper part ofthe arm 61 to limit the action of the spring 1.! until the parts are so repositioned.

It has been pointed out that the selecting mechanism of the invention may be used to not only control the platen but also other portions of the machine. For example, if a numbering device is used it is desirable that this be rendered inoperative when a printing device is skipped in order that the numbering device will not be advanced. Such an arrangement is shown in the previously referred to Colyer application, and as set forth therein the numbering device is operable from a shaft 2|3 having a shouldered dog 2M thereon engageable by one end of a link 2H to which a reciprocatory movement is imparted. In this link 2!? there is a slot 222 through which a pin 223 is extended, said pin also being extended through the bifurcated boss 22L in the bifurcation of which the link 2!] is rested. The boss 22! is carried by the arm 22! of the bell crank m and when the spring-pressed plunger 225 is actuated in the previously described man- I ner, movement is imparted to the bell crank ZIS whereby the boss 22! is moved upwardly to disengage the end of the link 2|? from the shouldered dog 2M. Thus, when reciprccatory movement is imparted to the link 2i! no movement will be imparted to the dog 2M and consequently the shaft 213 and thus the numbering device will not be advanced. Manifestly, an arrangement similar to this might be provided for rendering any desired portion of the mechanism inoperable and such is intended to be within the spirit and scope of my invention.

In the foregoing description I have set forth a selecting mechanism which may be expeditiously set up to perform only a determined selection. The determination of the selection is regulated by a removable member which may be formed in a desired manner and by providing removable members or matrices having different character'- istics various selections may be attained. The detecting portions of the selecting mechanism are movable with parts of the printing device feeding mechanism and therefore properly timed op eration of these detecting portions is assured. Moreover, the detecting portions may be set in a definite manner by cooperating with a lacuna provided on the printing devices and in order to accomplish this the detecting portions are separated from the part of the selector which is positioned by the setting thereof and this separation of the detecting portions from this part is brought about by a device operable in definite timed relation with the movement of the detecting portions into detecting position. Furthermore, the arrangement is one wherein a certain definite selection may be performed and yet by making a simple change in the mechanism a directly opposite manner of operation may be attained, thus afiording a reversal of operation of the machine. In addition to this the selecting mechanism is one which may be expeditiously employed to control different mechanisms in the machine and if desired this selecting mechanism might be arranged to interrupt the entire operation of the machine by disengaging the main clutch should this be desired. Moreover, since the detecting portions engage the lacuna at right angles thereto, I have provided means for preventing displacement of the lacuna and the printing device when engaged by these detecting portions'which further insures proper operation of the device.

In the foregoing description I have illustrated and described a selected embodiment of my invention but it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modificationand I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims:

I claim:

1. In a printing machine, a platen device movable between operative and inoperative positions, means sequentially feeding printing devices through the machine, a selecting mechanism, a holding member engageable with said platen device to hold said platen device in inoperative position, and means operated by said selecting mechanism for moving the holding member into holding position.

2. In a printing machine, a platen device movable between operative and inoperative positions, means sequentially feeding printing devices through the machine, a selecting mechanism, a holding member engageable with said platen device to hold the platen device in inoperative position, yieldable means normally holding the holding member out of holding position, and means operated by the selecting mechanism for moving the holding member into holding position against the action of said yieldable means.

3. In a machine of the class described, means feeding variable devices through the machine, said devices having identifying means thereon, a selecting mechanism, a movable member adapted for operation on said devices, holding means engageable with said movable member, and means for moving said holding means into engagement with said movable member, said selecting mechanism being operable to motivate the moving means to move the holding means into engagement with the movable member when said selecting mechanism cooperates with the identifying means on said devices in a predetermined mannet.

4. In a machine of the class described, means feeding variable devices through the machine, said devices having identifying means thereon, a selecting mechanism, a movable member adapted for operation on. said devices, holding means engageable with said movable member, means for moving said holding means into engagement with said movable member, and a removable member mounted in said selecting mechanism and adapted to control the operation thereof, said selecting mechanism being operable to motivate the moving means to move said holding means into engagement with said movable member when said selecting mechanism cooperates with identifying means on said devices in a manner determined by said removable member.

5. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means holding said platen in an upper inoperative position and adapted to be withdrawn to permit said platen to be moved into printing position and operable to impart printing impetus to said platen upon movement of the platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, holding means, means for operating said holding means to retain said platen in the upper inoperative position upon withdrawal of the means holding said platen in said position whereby said platen is prevented from moving into printing position and printing impetus is not imparted thereto, and selector means cooperating with the printing devices and determining the operation of the means for operating the holding means.

6. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices through printing position in the machine, means holding said platen in an upper inoperative position and adapted to be withdrawn to permit said platen to be moved into printing position and operable to impart printing impetus to said platen upon movement of the platen into printing relation with a printing device in printing position, holding means, means for operating said holding means to retain said platen in the upper inoperative position upon withdrawal of the means holding said platen in said position whereby said platen is prevented from moving into printing position and printing impetus is not imparted thereto, and a selecting mechanism for controlling the means operating said holding means whereby the operation of said holding means may be selectively controlled.

7. In a printing machine, a platen, means holding said platen in an upper inoperative position, means for withdrawing said holding means, means imparting printing impetus to said platen immediately prior to movement thereof into operating position, a selecting mechanism, and normally inoperative means operable by said selecting mechanism when it is operated in a predetermined manner for holding said platen in said upper inoperative position after said holding means is withdrawn to thereby prevent the imparting of printing impetus to said platen.

8. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a platen, means normally holding said platen in an upper inoperative position, means for withdrawing said holding means, a selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the identifying means on said printing devices, and normally inoperative means movable into engagement with said platen to prevent movement thereof after said holding means is withdrawn when said selecting mechanism cooperates with predetermined identifying means on said printing devices.

9. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a platen, means normally holding said platen in an upper inoperative position, means for withdrawing said holding means, a selecting mechanism adapted to cooperate with the identifying means on the printing devices, a member insertable into said selecting mechanism for determining operation thereof when moved into cooperation with said identifying means, normally inoperative means operable by said selecting mechanism and operable in accordance with the operation of said selecting mechanism as determined by said insertable member and engageable with said platen to hold the same against movement after said holding means is withdrawn when said selecting means cooperates with predetermined identifying means on the printing devices.

10. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a platen, means normally holding said platen in an upper inoperative position, means for withdrawing said holding means, means imparting printing impetus to said platen after it has moved following the withdrawal of said holding means, a selecting mechanism, a removable part adapted to be positioned in said selecting mechanism to determine operation thereof when moved into cooperation with the identifying means on said printing devices, and normally inoperative means operable when said selecting mechanism cooperates with determined identifying means on'said printing devices and movable to hold said platen against movement upon withdrawal of said holdmoving means and the operative part thereof to move said selector mechanism into cooperation with said printing devices.

, 12. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operative part, a selector mechanism carried by said operative part and including detecting portions, means in the machine controlled by said selector mechanism, and operating means for operating said moving means and the operative part thereof to bodily move said selector mechanism to move the detecting portionsthereof into cooperation with the identifying means on said printing devices.

13. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine andincluding an operative part, a selector mechanism carried by said operative part and including detecting portions and a positionable part, means in the machine controlled by' said selector mechanism, and operating means for operating said moving means and the operative part thereof to bodily move the selector mechanism to move the detecting portions thereon into cooperating relation with the identifying means on the printing devices to determine the setup of said positionable part.

14. In a printing'machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operative part, a selector mechanism carried by said operative part and including detecting portions and a positionable part, means in the machine controlled by said selector mechanism, op-

' crating means for operating said moving means and the operative part thereof to bodily move the selector mechanism to move the detecting portions thereon into cooperating relation with the identifying means'on the printing devices to determine the setup of said positionable part, and means for separating said detecting portions from said positionable part when said detecting portions cooperate with said identifying means to be positioned in accordance with the identifying means and adapted to effect reengagement of said detecting portions and said positionable part to determine the setup of said selector and the operation of the means controlled thereby.

15. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operative part, a selector mechanism carried by said operative part and including detecting portions and a positionable part, means in the machine controlled by said selector mechanism, operating means for operating said moving means and the operative part thereof to bodily, move the selector mechanism to move the detecting portions thereon into cooperating relation with the identifying means on the printing devices to: determine the setup of said positionable part, and said selector mechanism including a V removable part embodying means for determining the cooperation between said detecting portions and said positionable part.

16. In a printing machine, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operative part, a selector mechanism carried by said operative part and including detecting portions and a positionable part, means in the machine controlled by said selector mechanism, operating means for operating said moving means and the operative part thereof to bodmove the selector mechanism to move the detecting portions thereon into cooperating relation with the identifying means on the printing devices to determinethe setup of said positionable part, means operated by said operating means for separating said detecting portions from said positionable part when said detecting portions cooperate with said identifying means to be positioned in accordance with the identify-' ing means and adapted to effect reengagement of said detecting portions and said positionable part to determine the setup of said selector and the operation of the means controlled thereby, and said selector mechanism including a removable part embodying means for determining the setup of said positionable part upon engagement thereof with the detecting portions subsequent to" the cooperation of said detecting portions with said identifying means.

1'7. In a printing machine, an operative device, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operating means, a 'selecting mechanism, means for moving said selecting mechanism toward and away from the printing devices whereby the detecting portions of theselecting'mechanism may be moved into cooperative relation with the identifying means on the printing devices, said moving means for said selecting mechanism being operated by said operating means,means separating operative portions of said selecting mechanism upon movement thereof to move the detecting portions thereof into cooperative relation with the identifying means on the printing devices and adapted to effect reengagement of said operative portions subsequent to cooperation of the detecting portions with the identifying means, and means controlled by said selecting mechanism and adapted to be operated subsequent to reengagement of the operative portions of said selecting mechanism to control the operation of said operative device. I

18. In a printing machine, an operative device, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine and including an operating means, a sement thereof to move the detecting portions thereof into cooperative relation 'with the identifying means on the printing devices andadapted to effect reengagement of said cooperative portions subsequent to cooperation of the detecting portions with the identifying means to thereby position the control part of said selector, means operating the separating means from said operate ing means. and means cooperating with the control part of saidselector and adapted to bereg- ,ulatedthereby. subsequent to the reengagement ,ofthe operative portions of said selecting mechanism to control the operation of said operative device.

. 19.: In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially. moving printing devices through the vmachine and including a vertically movable memher, a selecting mechanism embodying detecting @members. adaptedto cooperate with identifying means on the printing devices, said selecting .mechanism being connected to said vertically mov'able member to move therewith to engage llan'd disengage the detecting members with the uidentifyingmeans, andmeans controlledby said selecting ,mechanism for regulating operation of i ,said platen as. determined by the cooperation of :said. detecting: members with said identifying 2D- means.

20. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially.-moving printing devices through the machine and including a vertically movable mem- :-ber, a selecting mechanism embodying detecting members adapted: to cooperate with identifying meanson. the printing devices, said selecting means-being connected to said vertically movable. member to move therewith to engage and .idisengage tthexdetecting. members with the identifying means, a removable part for determining :the operationof said selecting mechanism as reg- -ulatediby the cooperation of said detecting memhere with saididentifying means, and means controlledbylsaid selecting mechanism for regulataingoperationof said platen asdetermined by said removable :part. "'21.:A selector adapted for cooperation with .-control.means including spaced members, means carrying thendetecting and settable portions of said selector andamechanism for moving one i of saidrmeans relative to the otherof said means whereby the detecting portions of the selector may engageor passbetween the spaced members, the engagementof the detecting portions with -:the spaced members or the passage of the detecting'portions:between the spaced members setting up the detecting portions in varied positions to thereby determine the setup of the settable portions ofthe selector.

-22. A selector adapted forcooperation with -control means including spaced members, means carrying the detecting and settable portions of said selector, and-means formoving the-carrying means toward the control means whereby the :detecting portions of the selector may engage or pass-between the spaced members, the engagement of the detecting portions withthe spaced members or the passage of the detecting portions between the spaced members setting up the detesting portions'inyaried positionsto thereby determine the setup of the, settableportions .of'

the selector.

23. Ina printingmachinaan operative device, 5 means sequentially. moving printing devices havidentifying meansthereon through the ma-- chine, a bodily. movable selecting mechanism in- ..Clfldin a positionable part, means for freeing said positionable part to permit positioning thereof,

7,0 means formoving the ,selecting mechanism toward andaway from the printing devices to position said, positionable part by the cooperation of the selecting mechanism with the identifying means o-n the, printing devices, andcontrol means 315 having parts ,thereon adapted lfor cooperation and printing positions in the machine, a selecting mechanism including a positionable part, means for freeing said positionable part to permit positioning thereof, moving means formoving the selecting mechanism toward the printing: device in selecting position whereby said positionable. part is arranged in a position determined by the cooperation of said selecting mechanism with'the identifying meanson the printing device in selecting position, andcontrol meansin eluding parts adapted'for cooperation with said positionable part and adapted to regulate the operation of saidoperative device, saidymo'ving means moving said selecting mechanism. away from the printing device in selectingposition and -zo toward said controlmeans after the positioning of said positionable part.

'25. In aprintingmachine; an operative device, means sequentially moving printing-'devices' having identifying means .thereon through selecting gs and printing .IJO'Slt-iOl'lS'zlIl.llhfixlllflCh'll'lG, a select- ;ingmechanism including: ahpo'sitionable :part,

.,means. for freeingsaid positionable part to permit positioningv thereof, lmoving means for -moving the selectingqmechanismtoward the printing do device in, selecting. position :whereby :saidnposixtionable :part is a-rranged. in-. az position deteromined by the cooperationiof said selectingme'oha- ;nism. with, the identifying means :on' the printing device in. selectingposition,:controla means in- 35 eluding spaced parts arranged ins groups: and means affording. adjustment of! the positionable part and the g-roupsof partson said controlmeans whereby" saidnpositionable. part cooperates-:with

but one of thelgroupsof. parts .on said control .40

"means, said moving means .movingsaidsclecting mechanismaway: from the printing- .device .intselecting positiomand: toward said controlomeans after the positioning 1 of said positionable :p art.

126. Ina printing machinepancperative device, .45

- means sequenti'ally-rmoving, :printing' :devices having. :identifyingrsmeans-.thereon: through selecting .-and=printing positionsin the-machine, a selecting -:mechanism' .includingra :positionablepart, means .for freeing saidpositionablepart to permitposioo ntioning thereof ,means for locating said position- -able part in alternate 'operativewpositions;lmeans .for moving the selecting mechanism toward: the

printing device in selecting position-whereby=said positionable part is arranged in a determined poa 55 sition by the cooperation ofsaid selectingizmechanism with theidentifyingvmeansion the printing device inseIecting 1position, and-contro1 means including. control-members arranged. in-groups, said groups being alignedwith thealternate-po- BO sitions .of said positionable part,-.said-moving meansmoving said selecting mechanism.away from the'printing device in selecting .position and toward-the control means afterhthe, positioning of" said positionable part by said selecting ,mech-t anism tothereby controlthe operation of said operative device.

' 279A selecting-mechanism including a bracket supporting a pluralityof detecting members, a

head, a removable part mounted in saidhead'for regulating the relative position of said-detecting members and said head, means for freeing the detectingmembers from said'hea'd,an arm-mountedion, said .bracket means connecting; said arm -.and said head to :move as a unit; adevice having 7 a plurality of parts thereon adapted for cooperation with said arm, and means for moving said bracket to move said detecting members into detecting position when the detecting members are freed from said head to position said head and arm upon subsequent cooperation of the detecting members and head and for subsequently moving said bracket to move said arm toward said device to thereby position said arm relative to the parts on said device to thereby determine the operation of means controlled by said selecting mechanism.

28. A selecting mechanism including a bracket supporting a plurality of detecting members, a head, a removable part mounted in said head for regulating the relative position of said detecting members and said head, means for freeing the detecting members from said head, an arm, means for mounting said arm in selected positions on said bracket, means connecting said arm and said head to move as a unit, a device having a plurality of parts thereon adapted for cooperation With said arm, and means for moving said bracket to move said detecting members into detecting position when the detecting members are freed from said head toposition said head and arm upon subsequent cooperation of the detecting members and head and for subsequently moving said bracket to move said arm toward said device to thereby position said arm relative to the parts on said device to thereby determine the operation of the means controlled by said selecting mechanism.

29. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a drive shaft, a driven shaft operable in timed relation with said drive shaft, means operable with said drive shaft for operating said platen, a selecting mechanism operable with said printing device moving means, a removable part for determining operation of said selecting mechanism, normally inoperative means, and means carried by said selector and engageable with a part of said normally inoperative means when located in certain positions determined by said removable part to operate another part of said normally inoperative means to hold said platen against operation.

30. In a-printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a drive shaft, a driven shaft operable in timed relation with said drive shaft, means operable with said drive shaft for operating said platen, a selecting mechanism operable with said printing device moving means, a removable part for determining operation of said selecting mechanism, normally inoperative means, means carried by said selector and engageable with a part of said normally inoperative means when located in certain positions determined by said removable part to operate another part of said normally inoperative means to hold said platen against operation, and a signal device operable by the means carried by said selector when said means is disposed in certain positions as determined by said removable part.

31. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices having iden-- tifying means thereon through the machine, a drive shaft, a driven shaft operable in timed relation with said drive shaft, means operable with said drive shaft for operating said platen, a selecting mechanism operable with said printing device moving means, a removable part for determining operation of said selecting mechanism, normally inoperative means, means carried by said selector and engageable with a part of said normally inoperative means when located in certain positions determined by said removable part to operate another part of said normally inoperative means to hold said platen against operation, a signal device operable by the means carried by said selector when said means is disposed in certain positions as determined by said removable part, and means operable with said main drive shaft for repositioning parts of said signal device after operation thereof.

32. In a printing machine, a platen, means sequentially moving printing devices having identifying means thereon through the machine, a drive shaft, a driven shaft operable in timed relation with said drive shaft, a bracket supporting a plurality of detecting members, a head, means for moving said head and bracket toward and fro-m the printing devices, a removable part mounted in said head for regulating the relative position of said detecting members and said head, and means operable with said driven shaft for separating said head from said detecting members as said detecting members are engaged with said identifying means whereby said removable part determines the relative position of said head and said detecting members as said head again moves toward said detecting members, an arm positioned by said head, and a member including portions engageable by said arm when said arm is located in certain positions and said bracket is moved toward said arm.

WALTER T. GOLLWITZER. 

